Data collected by research group Experian seems to support this – it said the number of people going to stores in east London on Monday and Tuesday was 9.6% lower than a year ago, while footfall in west London fell by 4.5%. It said: “We think this is as a result of people mainly going to the shopping centre adjacent to the Olympic Park.”

But some have little sympathy

“If you are out at the Olympic venues, all the local businesses have entertainment or big screens – there is a real buzz.

“None of the businesses up and down Oxford Street are offering anything to try and bring people in.”

The cause of the incident has not yet been confirmed, but it is understood to be down to a “loss of momentum” as the wire sagged lower than expected. Other visitors to Victoria Park are believed to have since used it successfully.

Now, I must admit, I once got stuck on a zip line. However, I also wasn’t the mayor of London at the time.

**After defeating Canada’s Milos Raonic, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga told the Daily Mail that the Olympics is his chance for glory:

The Frenchman said: ‘It’s good because this is the only way to write my name in history for the moment. With Rafa, Roger and Novak, even Andy (Murray), it’s tough to go through big tournaments. So I’m really happy. I hope I will have some more.’

Of course, there are still plenty of big names left.

***The Cape Times (South Africa) writes that Swimming South Africa is hoping Chad Le Clos’ victory last night, combined with Cameron van der Burgh’s gold on Sunday, will lead to increased corporate sponsorship for development.

“I think it makes it all worthwhile,” said Jace Naidoo, president of SSA. “For me, what it really shows is that we have talent in the country and that, with the right kind of support, we can deliver on the results for the country.

“Yes, it’s hard work and Cameron was very focused, but I think the support makes the difference. The plan can work. We just need to find the resources to support that plan.

“Hopefully, after the performances by Cameron and some of the other swimmers, people will see that it’s a worthwhile investment. We’re not asking for a donation. We’re asking the country to invest in our swimmers because they can do the country proud.

The former, held in Los Angeles, was a Cold War spectacle of hyper-patriotism deliberately orchestrated to give the big middle finger to the boycotting Soviets and their allies. As ESPN’s Michael Weinreb recounted, “Spectators quite literally wrapped themselves in the flag” and “chants of ‘U.S.A.!’ became so jarring for the foreigners present that IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch wrote a letter complaining about ABC’s unabashedly patriotic coverage of the games.”

– Johnston

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